The word "bayou" is a term that is commonly used in the southern United States, particularly in the state of Louisiana. It refers to a slow-moving, marshy body of water that is often found in a flat or low-lying area. Bayous are typically characterized by their murky brown water and lush vegetation, which consists of cypress trees and other types of swamp plants. When it comes to spelling the word "bayou," it can be a bit tricky for some people. This is because it is a French loanword, and the spelling does not necessarily follow the typical rules of English spelling. However, once you understand the proper pronunciation and the origin of the word, it becomes easier to remember how to spell it correctly.
bayou
Recent Examples on the Web The only way that Helena can put the demon of her father to rest is to return to the Upper Peninsula — a kind of northern bayou — and confront him there. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2023 The first day of December 1982, two animal trappers found Smith, in blue jeans and a T-shirt with a gunshot wound to the head, floating in a shallow river bayou near Seymour, local newspapers reported. — Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2023 The bayou's course varies from straight-cut with low embankments to serpentine with steeper banks and dense vegetation. — Robin Soslow, Chron, 17 Apr. 2023 Chef Isaac Toups subscribes to the latter—much to the benefit of restaurant-goers on his side of the bayou. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2023 While here, be sure to take a boat tour through the swamps of the bayou. — Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2023 Uncontrolled flooding from the adjacent bayou made worse by nearby development has been washing graves into the adjoining ravine. — Elizabeth Williamson, New York Times, 27 Sep. 2023 More than two dozen major facilities have turned what was once bayou backwaters into what is effectively a city-size industrial park, and companies are angling to build several more plants in the area. — David Gelles, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023 On the bayou side of the town, water was still lapping up onto the sidewalks in some spots where chairs, bottles and other trash had been pushed onto the pavement by raging water. — Lori Rozsa, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023 See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bayou.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
bayou
From Cajun French bayou, from Choctaw bayuk ( “ creek ” ) . Doublet of bogue.
Pronunciation [ edit ]
- IPA (key) : /ˈbaɪ.(j)uː/ , /ˈbaɪ.oʊ/
Noun [ edit ]
bayou (plural bayous)
- A slow-moving, often stagnant creek or river.
- A swamp; a marshy (stagnant) body of water.
Usage notes [ edit ]
- Used almost exclusively to refer to bodies of water in Louisiana and adjoining areas, including southern Mississippi, Alabama, eastern Texas, Arkansas, and Florida.
Derived terms [ edit ]
Translations [ edit ]
slow-moving creek or swampAnagrams [ edit ]
However, once you understand the proper pronunciation and the origin of the word, it becomes easier to remember how to spell it correctly. To spell "bayou" correctly, start with the letter "b." Then, follow it with the letters "a," "y," "o," and "u.
French [ edit ]
Etymology [ edit ]
Pronunciation [ edit ]
-
IPA (key) : /ba.ju/
| Audio (CAN) | (file) |
Noun [ edit ]
bayou m (plural bayous)
- a stagnant body of water left behind by the meandering of the Mississippi River in Louisiana or elsewhere; a bayou
Further reading [ edit ]
- “bayou”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [ Digitized Treasury of the French Language ] , 2012.
- English terms borrowed from Cajun French
- English terms derived from Cajun French
- English terms derived from Choctaw
- English doublets
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- en:Louisiana, USA
- French terms borrowed from Choctaw
- French terms derived from Choctaw
- French 2-syllable words
- French terms with IPA pronunciation
- French terms with audio links
- Rhymes:French/ju
- Rhymes:French/ju/2 syllables
- French lemmas
- French nouns
- French countable nouns
- French masculine nouns
- fr:Landforms
- English entries with topic categories using raw markup
Cajun Words
Learning To Talk Like a Cajun
I was born and raised in Lake Charles, LA. As a boy, I had no idea that these Cajun words were difficult for others to say. It was what I grew up with. Louisiana has a french and Indian (native American) history and many names are in french as well as Native Indian words.
While I have lost the accent, for the most part, I do feel if you visit Louisiana you won't get so many stares if you can say the words correctly. Oh, the locals know what you mean if you say it incorrectly, but it dispels all doubt that you "ain't from around heeya".
" It is important to note that the "a" in "bayou" is pronounced like the letter "i" in the word "bit" or "fit." The "y" is pronounced like a long "e" sound, similar to the "ee" in the word "see" or "tree." Overall, spelling "bayou" correctly is not difficult once you understand the pronunciation and origin of the word. Just remember to start with the letter "b" and follow it with "a," "y," "o," and "u.".
Reviews for "Spelling "Bayou" Made Easy: A Beginner's Guide"
1. John - 2 stars - "How to spell bayou" was a disappointing book for me. The title made me think it would provide a comprehensive guide on spelling the word "bayou", but instead, it was a short and superficial read. The author didn't delve into the complexities of the word or offer any in-depth explanations. I was hoping to learn more about the origins and usage of the word, but this book failed to deliver. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to provide valuable knowledge on a subject that many struggle with.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "How to spell bayou" to be a complete waste of time. The book is incredibly short and lacking substance. It barely scratches the surface of the topic and fails to provide any useful information. The author seems to assume that readers already have a basic understanding of the word "bayou," which defeats the purpose of a book titled "How to spell bayou." I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking to improve their spelling skills or gain a deeper understanding of the word.
3. Mark - 2 stars - Despite its promising title, "How to spell bayou" falls short of expectations. The book offers little more than a basic definition of the word and a few common examples of its usage. I was hoping for a more in-depth exploration of the word's etymology or some practical tips on how to remember its spelling, but it simply lacked substance. The brevity of the book also left me wanting more. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to provide a valuable resource on a word that many struggle with.
4. Emily - 1 star - "How to spell bayou" was highly disappointing. The book is very short and provides no real guidance on spelling the word "bayou." I was hoping for some useful strategies or mnemonic devices to help remember the spelling, but all I got was a brief definition and a few examples. There was no depth or practical advice. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is genuinely seeking to improve their spelling skills or understand the complexities of the word "bayou".